Orioles select Vallimont's contract (plus notes and lineups)

The bullpen never rests.

The Orioles made another move this morning, selecting Chris Vallimont’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk and optioning left-hander Bruce Zimmermann.

Reliever Mychal Givens was transferred to the 60-day injured list to create room on the 40-man roster. He’s headed down to Sarasota next week and will pitch in the Florida Complex League after the All-Star break.

Givens hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since making his sixth appearance on May 31. He won’t join them before August.

Vallimont, 26, is waiting to make his major league debut. He’s posted a 5.02 ERA in 22 games with Norfolk, including eight starts.

With his last appearance on June 23, Vallimont provides a rested arm and length out of the ‘pen.

The Orioles assigned Vallimont No. 75.

Nick Vespi tossed three scoreless innings last night and won’t be available for a few days. Zimmermann tossed three innings Monday, faced a batter in the 10^th Wednesday and threw 35 pitches last night in two innings.

The Baltimore native seemed to be the most likely to go after the loss to the Twins.

The Orioles’ infield shell game today finds Gunnar Henderson at shortstop, Jordan Westburg at third base and Adam Frazier at second base.

Ryan O’Hearn is batting cleanup again. He’s 2-for-20 on the homestand.

Aaron Hicks is in right field and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.

Austin Hays’ .316 average puts him in a three-way tie for the American League lead.

Kyle Bradish has lowered his ERA to 3.75 by allowing only five runs in his last three starts over 19 innings. He’s walked four batters and struck out 16.

Bradish’s only career start against the Twins - on May 4, 2022, his second in the majors - resulted in four runs and six hits in four innings. Carlos Correa hit a two-run homer.

Left-handed batters posted a .083 average against Bradish’s slider last month.

The Orioles tied their season high with a three-game losing streak. The Rays have won three in a row and lead the division by 6 ½ games.

The Orioles are 6-21 against the Twins since 2018.

Right-hander Bailey Ober has made 12 starts and posted a 2.97 ERA and 1.019 WHIP. He’s surrendered only eight home runs in 69 2/3 innings.

Ober had four quality starts out of five outings last month. He’s never faced the Orioles.

Byron Buxton homered last night but is batting .110 in two-strike counts.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander DH
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Austin Hays LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Aaron Hicks RF
Jordan Westburg 3B
Adam Frazier 2B

Kyle Bradish RHP

For the Twins
Carlos Correa SS
Edouard Julien 2B
Byron Buxton DH
Alex Kirilloff 1B
Royce Lewis 3B
Max Kepler RF
Christian Vázquez C
Joey Gallo LF
Michael A. Taylor CF

Bailey Ober RHP